fiscal conservatives say a smaller stop gap measure to avoid the cliff won't work. >> if we, in fact, do not use this period of time before right now, deal with the bigger issue and entitlements, if we just continue to kick the can down the road. the market will respond in a more permanent and negative way to our inaction. >> one thing leading republicans and democrats seem to agree on is time is running short. veteran senate democrat says there is a very small window to get something done. >> if we don't have a deal within the next 24 hours, the question is where do you buy a pair of shoes? the closer we get to the end the less likely you will compress agreement in place that will have it pass. >> this struggle over the future of the country some suggest is not that different than what many americans face in their daily lives. >> this is no different than marriage. a lot of marriages fail because they fight over money. that i get heavily in debt and they fight over money issues. we as a nation are right now fighting over money because we are so heavily in debt. >> though in this case